New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-10-10
STEALING JEWELRY FOR YEARS.
GETTING RICH ON SIS A WEEK.
NEGRO PORTER MAKES BANK ACCOUNT OF
$4,000 BY ROBBING HIS EMPLOYERS.

A NEGRO PORTER MAKES A BANK ACCOUNT OF
$4,000 BY RoBBING HIS EMPLOYERS.
Joseph Gustavus Adolphus Kidd, OF No. 62 Feetplace
Brooklyn is only ordinary and commonplace coorcd
and would be taken for genius, but Mr..
Kidd became possessed OF little scheme about four
years ago whereby he has able not only to live well
salary OF $15 week. but also to lay about $4,000
away In the bank for rainy day Kidd has wife and
several children In Brooklyn and has long been an earn
est exhorter in his church About four years he
to work in the of Wheeler Parsons Hayes
jewellers, at No. Madenlane, porter He well
recommended and he did his work well soon had the
confidence Of his employers and the rum Of the store
There was a man working in the store named Robert
Dunn and after Kidd had been two years In the place
Dunn opened plan to him which, If carried out sue
cessfully, would add materially to his wealth. Dunn
also to share in the profits Kidd was the first one
at the store in the morning. and when the clerks came
his regular work having been finished he would assist
them In taking the jewey out OF the safes, arranging
the trays In the showcases and dustiny the goods
While busily engaged in this work he usually managed
to slip article of jewelry into ais pocket.
Having the goods the next thing to get rid
OF them. Dunn, who old hand at the business.
showed him method Of getting rid Of the goods without
fear of detection. Instead OF following the usual
of thieves, In dsposing of property at pawn
shops, all the jewery was melted first and then sold in
a regular way Old gold. This made it necessary for
Kidd get away home much earlier than when he
first went to work for Wheeler Parsons Hayes andhis
wife often questioned him about IL, but he always said
the great rush of business demanded it, After getting to
the Kidd would go into the cellar the bright new
icwelry would be placed in piece OF charcoal hol-
lowed out like retOrt and this suspended over gas Jet
Then by using blow pipe nc could quickly transform
rings watchcascs and other articles into lump Of Did
gold This his regular morning recreation outside
his usual duties.
The firm became months ago that there was
leak somewhere, but could not find It, Inspector Byrhes
consulted about month ago, and detectives were
watch the night and day and pay particular
attention to Kidd who found 70 be living little
expenstvely than $l5 week would warrant
They found that he selling gold to John Leon
ard OF No. 1i2 Fultonst., and Lehn Son, No John
ST. He was arrestedon Saturday and locked up at Police
Headquarters He protested his innocence, but when
Inspector Byrncs told him OF the evidence against him
he confessed the whole affair.
divided the profits with Dunn for awhile. but Dunn
became alarmed the extent of the stealing and He'd
Kidd kept until he caught He had not kept any
record of the things stolen, but In general way Thought
that had taken about 600 plain rings 400 chains IL
Masonic badges, 100 bracelets the same number OF ear
rings several diamond rings and watches His rooms In
Brooklyn searched and some OF the stolen goods
found. Kidd could not remember how much money
he had the bank but thought that from $4,000 TO
Sl2 900 would IL. This money Will be recovered
and also of the stolen goods which Kidd disposed
at private sale. lie will be taken to court to-day.